A Case Study Using Blogs in Teaching and Learning

This case study was written up in the AustralasianJournal of Educational Technology in 2004. Although much progress has been made since that time by the way of blogging in educational communities, I still consider the article to be relevant, and it inspires me, an educator who is just now beginning to consider blogging and its merits in an educational setting.

The purpose of the paper was to critically comment regarding the use of blogs as learning spaces by students in higher education settings. The authors cited much academic literature reviews of educational blogging: one such article identifies with blogging as a way for students to develop their unique voices. According to Williams and Jacobs, the author of this particular articles explains “that in order to develop and sustain a clear and confident voice of one’s own, one has to carefully formulate and stand by one’s opinion. Writing a blog assists here because it forces students to confront their own opinions and contemplate how their view might be interpreted and reflected upon by others.”

The actual initiative occurred in 1999 when the Brisbane Graduate School of Business (BGSB) offered an MBA course designed to offer students more flexibility and choice. The intention was also to cater to a more diverse student population and offer a more student centered approach. A trial “MBA Blog” was instituted in part to help meet these objectives.

Although participation in the blog was optional, students were encouraged to contribute; five meaningful contributions would earn the students five marks (within the assessment system of the course). At the end of the course, a five question survey was administered to the students. The results were very optimistic. For example, some of the students who elected not to “participate” in the blog commented that although they didn’t “contribute,” they were still participants because they read others’ posts and received valuable information about the course. In response to the question “Do you think the MBA Blog assisted with your learning…” approximated two-thirds either agreed or strongly agreed. Many participants also posted revealing comments explaining the initial fear that had to be overcome, or the amount of time required to construct a thought provoking response, for example. The other survey questions regarded “ the level of meaningful intellectual exchange between students”; “knowing what you now know, would you participate in the future,” and “would you like to see blogging used more widely.” All in all, as this blog post is becoming too lengthy, the study shows that students favor the continued use of blogs for teaching and learning- and for learning purposes.

My Critique of the Case Study:

I am sold on the authenticity and value of the study. I know it was conducted a long time ago in terms of technological time, however, the concepts are timeless. For example, according to a perceptive statement by the authors of the study, “students have long learned as much from each other as they have from an instructor or a textbook-it’s just a question of finding an appropriate vehicle for facilitating this learning.” Blogs provide an additional avenue for such learning, perhaps in a more accountable fashion.

How I Might use Blogs in Similar AND Different Situations:

I can see using a blog with freshmen biology students or in college success orientation courses. In both cases, one course being content driven, as in the study, the other being process driven, students will be the authors. Perhaps one student (or a pair) will choose to be the conversation starter each week by posting a thought provoking question or a reflective posts on the site. Students will be required, as in the study, to respond with appropriate feedback a minimum number of times during the semester. Conversely, compared to the study, I will give more definite instructions at the beginning of the course, and participation will be required of all students.

References:

Williams, J.B., Jacobs, J. (2004). Exploring the use of blogs and learning spaces in the higher education sector. Australasian Journal of Educational Technology. 20(2), 232-247. Accessed 18 July, 2008 from: http://eprints.qut.edu.au/13066/1/13066.pdf